Artist Influence

Gob Squad

War and Peace 

Drawing on the book of the same title as source material, this show comprised of an eclectic series of scenes including audience participation, a catwalk and interaction with projections and filmed segments. A key feature of the show was where the actors, in ridiculously parodied outfits, each invited a member of the audience to their 'salon' at the front of the audience, where a camera panned round to capture conversation between them. The organic and unplanned nature of their interaction, as they had never met their 'guests' before and had collected limited information on them was particularly successful as it created an uneasy atmosphere of mock-reality. To be more specific, the audience were fully aware that they were not witnessing a formal gathering as it was presented, in spite of the fact that the conversation was a genuine series of questions and interactions as each actor got to know their guest better. In addition, each new guest was formally announced to the sound of a gong, a custom which seemed out of place in a more contemporary setting. It is the way in which the company mocked the pleasantries and customs of a traditional situation which I want to bring forward into my work. In particular I feel this could translate very successfully into a gallery setting, through subtle subversion of traditional gallery customs and standards of presentation.